Braked wheel with vibration damping rings, landing gear and aircraft equipped with such a wheel

Abstract

A braked wheel (10) carried by an axle (5) and comprising a torsion tube (22) equipped with stator discs (21a) prevented from rotating by means of pins (22.1) integral with said torsion tube and engaged in notches in the stator discs, the torsion tube comprising a collar (22.1) rotationally connected to a shaft (5.1) of the axle by means of drive pins (7) each extending through a retaining ring (30) inserted into a bore formed in the collar of the torsion tube or the shaft of the axle, characterized in that the ring comprises an inner sleeve (31), an outer sleeve (32) and an intermediate sleeve (33) located between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve, the intermediate sleeve being arranged to deform elastically under the effect of tangential forces transmitted between the torsion tube and the axle via the pin. (Figure in the abbreviated version: Fig. 4)

Description

Title of the invention: Braked wheel with vibration damping rings, landing gear and aircraft comprising such a wheel

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of wheel braking and more particularly to a fixing ring for a torsion tube on a single axle hand to stop brake stator discs from rotating.

[0002] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Aircraft landing gear is known, having at one end an axle on which a wheel is mounted for rotation, designed to cooperate with a brake. Generally, the brake comprises discs extending inside the wheel rim, including rotor discs driven in rotation by the rim and arranged alternately with stator discs carried by a torsion tube fixed to the axle. The stator discs have an inner circumference provided with peripheral notches into which extend tenons that are formed from the material along with the torsion tube and that prevent the stator discs from rotating relative to the torsion tube. Controlled pressure on all the discs brings them into contact with each other and generates friction and thus a braking torque that slows the rotation of the wheel.

[0004] It has been observed that the pressure applied to all the discs at low speeds or at the end of braking causes repeated impacts between the stator discs and the torsion tube. These impacts generate vibrations that travel up the aircraft structure via the landing gear and are felt by the passengers. While these vibrations do not affect the mechanical strength of the landing gear or the aircraft structure, they do create a passenger comfort problem that can even damage the image of the airline operating the aircraft.

[0005] SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention therefore aims to provide a braked wheel which at least partially overcomes the aforementioned drawback. Summary of the invention

[0007] To this end, a braked wheel carried by an axle is proposed, comprising a torsion tube equipped with stator discs whose rotation is stopped by means of pins integral with said torsion tube and engaged in notches in the stator discs. The torsion tube includes a collar rotationally connected to one arm of the axle by means of drive pins, each extending through a retaining ring inserted into a bore formed in the collar of the torsion tube or the arm of the axle.

[0008] According to the invention, the ring comprises an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve, and an intermediate sleeve located between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve, the sleeve intermediate being arranged to deform elastically under the effect of tangential forces passing between the torsion tube and the axle via the pin and to absorb vibrations due to repeated shocks between the tenons and the stator discs during wheel braking via said stator discs.

[0009] The ring thus makes it possible to attenuate the amplitude of the vibrations generated by the repeated shocks between the tenons and the stator discs, failing to be able to cut off the excitation or the structural natural mode at the origin of the vibrations.

[0010] According to a particular feature of the invention, the intermediate sleeve extends from the inner sleeve to the outer sleeve; in other words, the intermediate sleeve is in contact with the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve.

[0011] According to another particular feature of the invention, the ring includes a collar forming a stop for the insertion of said ring into the bore made in the collar of the torsion tube or the hand of the axle, the collar being supported on a periphery of the bore.

[0012] According to another particular feature of the invention, the intermediate sleeve is made of elastomer or glass wool.

[0013] According to another particular feature of the invention, the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve are made of metal.

[0014] According to another particular feature of the invention, the ring is inserted into the bore provided in the hand of the axle.

[0015] The invention also relates to an aircraft landing gear comprising at least one such braked wheel.

[0016] The invention also relates to an aircraft comprising at least one such landing gear. Brief description of the drawings

[0017] The invention will be better understood in the light of the following description, which is purely illustrative and not limiting, and should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, among which:

[0018] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] is a simplified view of an aircraft including landers main ones equipped with braked wheels according to the invention;

[0019] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is an axial cross-sectional view of one of these braked wheels;

[0020] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of the output torsion tube and axle the braked wheel illustrated in 2, with the torsion tube removed from the axle;

[0021] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the axle and two damping rings of the braked wheel illustrated in [Fig.2];

[0022] [Fig.5A] [Fig.5A] is a perspective view of one of the damping rings illustrated in [Fig.4];

[0023] [Fig.5B] [Fig.5B] is an axial cross-sectional view of the damping ring illustrated in [Fig.5A]. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] With reference to [Fig. 1], the invention is described in application to an aircraft 1 comprising two main landers 2. Each of the main landers 2 has a leg 3 having a first end articulated on a structure 4 of the aircraft 1 and, opposite, a second end provided with a tubular shaft or axle 5 carrying wheels 10 rotating about an axis X. The main landers 2 are here of the retractable type, but the invention is applicable to fixed landers, or even to another type of vehicle such as a land vehicle.

[0025] The following description relates to one of the wheels 10 of the aircraft, the wheels 10 being identical here but also being different.

[0026] With reference to [Fig.2], the wheel 10 comprises two half-wheels 10a, 10b each having an annular rim 11a, 11b connected to a half-hub 13a, 13b by a disc 12a, 12b. The half-hub 13a, 13b is pivotally received on the axle 5 by means of a bearing 14a, 14b and has a distal end comprising a bore in which the bearing 14a, 14b is received.

[0027] The half-wheel 10a has a housing provided on an edge of the rim 1la and in which a sealing gasket 15 is arranged so that it is elastically compressed between the half-wheels 10a, 10b once they are assembled.

[0028] The half-wheels 10a, 10b are brought together in a direction parallel to the X axis of rotation of the wheel 10 and have centering bearing surfaces (not shown) to ensure the correct relative positioning of the half-wheels 10a, 10b. The half-wheels 10a, 10b are held in position by assembly bolts 16 arranged in holes drilled opposite each other in pairs in the webs 12a, 12b.

[0029] The bolts 16 are screwed and tightened to assemble the half-wheels 10a, 10b after mounting a tire (not shown) on the rims 1la, 11b. In this position, the sealing gasket 15 is elastically compressed between the half-wheels 10a, 10b.

[0030] The half-wheels 10a, 10b each have an annular rim 17a, 17b which is arranged at a distal end of the rim 11a, 11b and which extends radially outwards from the wheel 10. The rim rims 17a, 17b form axial stops preventing the tire from coming off the rim.

[0031] The wheel 10 is said to be "braked", that is to say, equipped with a braking device 20 intended to selectively slow down and stop the aircraft 1 when it is on the ground. The braking device 20 comprises discs 21, including stator discs 21a and rotor discs 21b, which are stacked alternately against each other on a torsion tube 22 extending around axle 5. The torsion tube 22 includes an internal collar 22.1 which is fixed to one hand of the axle 5 (not shown in [Fig.2], visible in Figures 3 and 4) by means of three bolts 6 and which is rotationally connected, along the X axis of rotation of the wheel 10, to the axle hand by means of nine force transmission pins 7 distributed around said X axis. The torsion tube 22 and the stack of discs 21 extend inside the half-wheel 10a in an annular space delimited by an inner surface of the rim 1a, the disc 12a and an outer surface of the half-hub 13a extending opposite the inner surface of the rim 1a.

[0032] The stator discs 21a have an inner circumference comprising axial peripheral notches, each receiving a section of a stator tenon 22.1 extending axially from an outer surface of the torsion tube 22 to ensure rotational coupling of the stator discs 21a with the torsion tube 22 around the X axis of rotation of the wheel 10. The stator tenons 22.1 are formed from the same material as the torsion tube 22 and each has a longitudinal axis parallel to the X axis so as to form slides allowing the stator discs 21a to slide along said X axis. The peripheral notches of the stator discs 21a include lateral flanks protected by clips 23a riveted to said stator discs 21a.

[0033] The rotor discs 21b have an outer circumference comprising axial peripheral notches, each receiving a section of a rotor tenon 1la.1 extending axially from the inner surface of the rim 1la to ensure rotational coupling of the rotor discs 21a with the rim 1la around the X axis of rotation of the wheel 10. With reference to Figures 3 and 4, the rotor tenons 1la.1 are here formed from the rim 1la and each have a longitudinal axis parallel to the X axis so as to form slides allowing the rotor discs 21b to slide along said X axis. The peripheral notches of the rotor discs 21b include lateral flanks protected by clips 23b riveted to said rotor discs 21b.

[0034] The braking device 20 further comprises a hydraulic ring 24 fixed to one end of the torsion tube 22 by means of screws. The ring 24 comprises a plurality of cavities 25 which are symmetrically distributed around the X axis of rotation of the wheel 10 and connected to each other by channels. Each of the cavities 25 receives an actuator 26 which selectively exerts a pressing force, parallel to the X axis of rotation of the wheel 10, on the stack of discs 21 via a pressurized hydraulic fluid circulating inside the ring 24 through the channels. The pressing force generates friction between the stator discs 21a and the rotor discs 21b, resulting in the application of a braking torque on the wheel 10. The ring arrangement of the actuators 26 makes it possible to distribute the pressing forces evenly over the entire surface of the first stator disc 21a.

[0035] According to the invention, each of the pins 7 of the torsion tube 22 to the axle hand 5.1 extends through a bore formed in the internal collar 22.1 of the torsion tube 22 and through a damping ring 30 inserted in a bore formed in the axle hand 5.1. The bore formed in the internal collar 22.1 is coaxial with the bore formed in the axle hand 5.1 and extends parallel to the axis X of rotation of the wheel 10.

[0036] The ring 30 comprises a cylindrical body 30.1, having a thickness e30.i and an axial end provided with a flange 30.1 extending radially from an outer surface of the body. The body 30.1 has an external diameter substantially smaller than that of the bore formed in the axle hand 5.1 and a longitudinal axis substantially coinciding with that of said bore formed in the axle hand 5.1. The flange 30.2 forms a stop for the insertion of said ring 30 into the bore formed in the axle hand 5.1 and bears against a periphery of said bore. The ring 30 has a length l30, defined between the flange 30.2 and a second axial end of the ring, opposite the flange 30.2, which is substantially less than a thickness of the axle hand 5.1.

[0037] The damping ring 30 comprises the assembly of three bushings inserted one into the other, namely an inner bushing 31, an outer bushing 32 and an intermediate bushing 33 included between the inner bushing 31 and the outer bushing 32.

[0038] The inner sleeve 31, the outer sleeve 32 and the intermediate sleeve 33 each comprise a tubular body 31.1, 31.2, 31.3, cylindrical in shape, having a first axial end provided with a collar 31.2, 31.2, 31.3 extending radially in projection from an outer surface of the body 31.1, 31.2, 31.3.

[0039] The body 33.1 of the intermediate sleeve 33 extends inside the body 32.1 of the outer sleeve 32, an outer surface of said body 33.1 cooperating with an inner surface of said body 32.1. The collar 33.2 of the intermediate sleeve 33 cooperates with a front surface of the collar 32.2 of the outer sleeve 32. Similarly, the body 31.1 of the inner sleeve 31 extends inside the body 33.1 of the intermediate sleeve 33, an outer surface of said body 31.1 cooperating with an inner surface of said body 33.1. The collar 31.2 of the inner sleeve 31 cooperates with a front surface of the collar 33.2 of the intermediate sleeve 33. It is understood that the intermediate sleeve extends from the inner sleeve to the outer sleeve.

[0040] The body 31.1 and the collar 31.2 of the inner sleeve 31 have different thicknesses e3i, e3i,2: the thickness e3i,1 of the body 31.1 is greater than the thickness e3i,2 of the collar 31.2. The body 32.1 and the collar 32.2 of the outer sleeve 31 have a thickness e32.i, e322 substantially identical. The body 33.1 and the collar 33.2 of the intermediate sleeve 33 have a thickness e33.b e33 2 substantially identical.

[0041] The thickness e30.i of the body 30.1 of the ring 30 is equal to the sum of the thicknesses of the bodies 31.1, 32.1, 33.1 of the bushings 31, 32, 33.

[0042] The collars 31.2, 32.2, 33.2 of the sockets 31, 32, 33 have an external diameter substantially identical and together form the collar of the ring 30 which has a thickness e30 2 substantially equal to the sum of the thicknesses e3L2, e32 2, e33 2 of the collars 31.2, 32.2, 33.2 of the sockets 31, 32, 33.

[0043] The outer sleeve 32 has a length 132, defined between the flange 32.2 and a second axial end of the outer sleeve 32, opposite the flange 32.2, which is substantially equal to the length l30 of the ring 30. The intermediate sleeve 33 has a length 133, defined between the flange 33.2 and a second axial end of the intermediate sleeve 33, opposite the flange 33.2, which is substantially equal to the sum of the length 132 and the thickness e32 of the outer sleeve 32. The inner sleeve 31 has a length l3b defined between the flange 31.2 and a second axial end of the inner sleeve 31, opposite the flange 31.2, which is substantially equal to the sum of the length 133 and the thickness e33 of the intermediate sleeve 33. The bodies 31.1, 32.1, 33.1 of the sockets 31, 32, 33 thus together form the body 30.1 of the ring 30, the body 32 of the external sleeve 32 comprising an external surface defining an external surface of the body of the ring 30, and the body 31 of the internal sleeve 31 comprising an internal surface defining an internal surface of the body 30.1 of the ring 30. .

[0044] The inner and outer bushings are made of metal while the intermediate bushing is made of a damping material arranged to deform elastically under the effect of tangential forces passing between the torsion tube 22 and the axle hand 5.1 via the pins 7 and to absorb at least partially the vibrations due to repeated shocks between the stator discs 21a and the stator pins 22.1 of the torsion tube 22 during braking of the wheel 10 carried out via the braking device 20, in particular at low speed and when the braking torque exerted on the wheel 10 is between 400 and 1500Nm (Newton meter).

[0045] The material and thickness e33 of the intermediate sleeve 33 are chosen according to the required damping and absorption capacity. The intermediate sleeve 33 is here made of elastomer or glass wool and has a thickness of approximately 1 millimeter.

[0046] It is understood that the intermediate sleeve 33 allows the stiffness of the ring 30 to be modified locally, and therefore that of the interface between the torsion tube 22 and the axle hand 5.1 through which the braking torque passes, so that said sleeve intermediate allows to limit the rise of the vibrations of the braking device 20 in the lander 2 and therefore in the structure S of the aircraft 1.

[0047] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described but encompasses any variant falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0048] Although the damping ring 30 is here inserted into a bore formed in the axle hand 5.1, it can also be inserted into a bore formed in the internal collar 22.1 of the torsion tube 22.

[0049] Although the material strip 42 is here made of elastomer or glass wool, any other suitable material may be used.

[0050] Although the stator tenons 22.1 are here made of material with the torsion tube 22, they can be attached to said torsion tube 22.

[0051] Although the wheel 10 here comprises two half-wheels 10a, 10b, it can also be a single piece.

[0052] The collar 22.1 of the torsion tube can be internal or external.

[0053] Instead of fixing the torsion tube with screws cooperating with nuts for forming bolts, one of the collar 22.1 and the axle hand 5.1 can be provided with tapped holes into which the screws are screwed.

Claims

Demands

1. A braked wheel (10) carried by an axle (5) and comprising a torsion tube (22) equipped with stator discs (21a) stopped in rotation by means of tenons (22.1) integral with said torsion tube and engaged in notches of the stator discs, the torsion tube comprising a collar (22.1) rotationally bound to a hand (5.1) of the axle by means of drive pins (7) each extending through a fixing ring (30) inserted in a bore formed in the collar of the torsion tube or the hand of the axle, characterized in that the ring comprises an inner sleeve (31), an outer sleeve (32) and an intermediate sleeve (33) included between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve, the intermediate sleeve being arranged to deform elastically under the effect of tangential forces passing between the torsion tube and the axle via the pin and to absorb vibrations due to repeated shocks between the tenons and the stator discs during braking of the wheel via said stator discs.

2. Wheel (10) braked according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate sleeve (33) extends from the inner sleeve (31) to the outer sleeve (32).

3. Wheel (10) braked according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ring (30) comprises a collar forming a stop to the insertion of said ring into the bore provided in the collar of the torsion tube or the hand of the axle, the collar being supported on a periphery of the bore.

4. Wheel (10) braked according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate sleeve (33) is made of elastomer.

5. Wheel (10) braked according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the intermediate sleeve (33) is made of glass wool.

6. Wheel (10) braked according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner bushing (31) and the outer bushing (32) are made of metal.

7. Wheel (10) braked according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ring (30) is inserted into the bore provided in the hand of the axle.

8. Landing (2) aircraft, comprising at least one wheel (10) braked according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. Aircraft (1) comprising at least one landing (2) according to claim 8.

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